SEA-CT Partners with Scuba Shack for Coral Awareness Program

Creating awareness of the value of coral reefs along with the threats they currently face is a first step in helping to protect this vital ecosystem. That’s why Scuba Educational Alliance of CT partnered with Scuba Shack to conduct the Marine Ecosystem and Coral Awareness course on Saturday December 6, 2025.

Bill Mithlener, owner of Scuba Shack led the group through a comprehensive program that started by providing the baseline understanding of the various marine ecosystems and the importance of each. He then followed this with information on the various perils that the specific environments are facing. Things like overfishing, destructive practices and pollution. With this baseline understanding, the focus shifted toward the main event - coral reefs.

Coral reefs are one of the most important parts of the ocean environment and play a critical role in ocean health. Even though corals appear to be rather simple organisms, when taken together they create an incredible environment. And while they can be resilient, they are also not immune to environmental threats. These threats include climate change, pollution, destructive practices like bottom trawling, and disease. By understanding these threats, individuals can take action to help save coral reefs. Simple steps like using only reef safe sunscreen or using less plastic, to more long-term goals like supporting renewable energy and combating climate change.

Our mission is to foster a new generation of ocean stewards and while the primary focus is to provide scholarships to young men and women, we also believe that it is never too late to become an ocean steward. By partnering with Scuba Shack we are able to move our mission forward by creating awareness and energy around ocean health and sustainability.